UK news

One of British Jewry's most senior leaders this week shattered a longstanding taboo by publicly criticising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the peace process, voicing moral reservations about some of Israel's policies, and calling for criticism of Israel to be voiced freely throughout thecommunity.

The father of tormented X Factor contestant Katie Waissel has admitted that vicious internet abuse and tabloid rumours about his daughter have left him and his family “heartbroken”.

Maurice Waissel said it was hard to cope as a parent of a child who is subject to a media hate campaign — and he cannot help but read about it. “She’s been getting these idiotic death threats over the internet. The threats aren’t specific — they just say, ‘we want you to die’.”

Messages on Twitter have included: “Who’s coming on a murder hunt with me? Target Katie Waissel.”

Two of the men closest to Prime Minister David Cameron have been tipped to be given peerages in a list of as many as 50 new working peers to be announced by Downing Street.

Andrew Feldman, Mr Cameron’s chief fund raiser and now joint chairman of the Tory Party, and Stanley Fink, a joint party treasurer, have been named among a large group who will augment the ranks of the House of Lords.

A man has been jailed for 15 months for posting racist video clips on YouTube.

Gareth Hemingway admitted five offences under the Public Order Act at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard he had posted five videos featuring racist imagery and when he was arrested at his home in Sussex, police found a collection of Nazi memorabilia including a flag bearing the symbol of the SS.

The clips posted online called for a “racial holy war”, described acts of violence and made references to far right groups including Combat 18 and POWER (Patriots of White European Resistance).